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| Kiteboarders play in the waves in the waters off Hamdeok Beach on Jeju Island, Tuesday. / Yonhap |
By Jun Ji-hye
Jeju and Gangwon provinces, which have many popular vacation spots, are on high alert as many tourists are expected to visit the areas during the upcoming holidays despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, municipal administration officials said Wednesday.
Many Koreans are set to enjoy a long weekend with Buddha's Birthday on April 30, Labor Day on May 1 and Children's Day on May 5, which will give them a chance to take time off for up to six days.
The Jeju Tourism Association (JTA) expects the number of daily visitors to the southern resort island during the holiday period to reach around 24,000.
The estimated number is less than the more than 40,000 recorded during last year's holiday season, but is much higher compared to figures tallied in March.
The number of daily visitors to the island fell to 11,640 ― this year's lowest figure ― March 30, according to the association.
Increasing travel demand to the resort island has led to a rise in the prices of flight tickets ― the ticket prices for flights to Jeju fell to about 3,000 won ($2.4) at one point in early February, but are now hovering around 100,000 won.
Amid signs of recovery of demand, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines plan to resume operations of their flights between Daegu and Jeju, April 26, while Jin Air and Jeju Air will launch new routes from Daegu to Jeju and from Yeosu to Jeju, respectively, April 29.
The number of reservations at hotels and golf courses have also increased for the long weekend getaway.
Reservations at the Shilla Jeju and Lotte Hotel Jeju have increased by about 70 percent from a month earlier, according to the JTA.
Gangwon Province, which has many tourist attractions along the East Sea and mountainous areas, is facing similar situations, with large resorts in the province having seen a soaring number of reservations for the holidays.
Municipal officials said they will enhance quarantine activities in preparation for many visits from travelers, being mindful of possible infection clusters.
The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province said those showing symptoms associated with the coronavirus would be advised go through a test at a Jeju airport, not at local hospitals.
Museums and art galleries on the island will also remain closed.
"We ask tourists to wear face masks during their visit to Jeju, and refrain from coming to the island if they have visited overseas countries," a Jeju official said.
An official from the Gangneung city government in Gangwon Province said the coastal city will double the number of quarantine officials on duty during the holiday period.
"We also plan to increase the number of disinfection times [of streets and facilities] to four to five times a day from twice a day," he said.
